Bargaining Priorities

Top bargaining priorities.

Our contract is inspired and informed by you!

CPPW sent out surveys in September 2023 and March 2024, hosted bargaining info sessions with members, discussed issues at membership meetings, took straw polls, and hosted open contract work sessions to gathered critical info on what is important to our union members.

The people are our power, and we need your continued involvement to win this contract!

Do you want to observe this process? Email us at [email protected] to join in person during a bargaining session or submit an accommodation request to observe virtually.

Top Bargaining Priorities

Key issues that we’re fighting for at the bargaining table

  1. Increased Wages: COLAs and step pay increases (these occur regularly over the length of your employment and are not merit based) are the best methods of sustaining living wages during employment with the City of Portland. We’ll be fighting for these benefits for all of our members.
  2. Classifications: Members want clarity and accountability when it comes to ambiguous classifications. We’re advocating for a contract that keeps employees protected from working out of class and classifications that have clearly defined responsibilities.
  3. Flexible Work Schedules: We’re fighting for a contract that allows members to work when and where is best for them and their programs! Some members are fully in person because of the nature of their jobs, some are fully remote, most are currently hybrid. We want a contract that supports flexible work schedules and locations. We are competent, trusted professional that can accomplish our goals, connect with our team, and do our work from where ever makes for sense you and your program.
  4. SuccessFactors: We’re saying no to SuccessFactors tied to merit increases. Instead we’re opting for COLAs and step pay increases (#1 above), and instead using SuccessFactors as a tool for developing clear work goals and regular work check ins. We deserve feedback, check ins, and clear expectations from our managers.
  5. Overtime and Management Leave: Are you working overtime? Do you want access to overtime? You should be fairly compensated and get premium pay when you work more than your assigned hours! Management Leave is an important benefit to members, so we’re focusing on a creating a similar leave banks that is equitable and accessible to all members when they meet the expectations of their roles – an Earned Leave option.

Strike Pledge

 CPPW Strike Pledge Petition 

The City of Portland Professional Workers union (CPPW) has been bargaining in good faith for a strong contract since March 2023. We are fighting for: 

  • Clear and consistent compensation – Guaranteed wage increases, bringing all starting wages to a living wage, paid on-call and stand-by time, and hour-for-hour working out-of-class compensation. 
  • Workplace protections – Enforceable layoff protections and anti-layoff provisions that prevent us from being first in line to plug budget holes.  
  • Flexibility – Clear policies that ensure we aren’t subject to arbitrary management decisions about how and when we work. 
  • A real voice in decision-making – Ensuring our input is not just heard, but acted on. 

Throughout bargaining and mediation, we have recognized the City’s financial situation and adjusted our proposals accordingly—seeking a reasonable agreement in line with other City unions. Yet the City has stalled and clung to unreasonable positions, maintaining status quo or worse on the issues that matter most to us. 

To secure our contract, we must demonstrate our unity. It is time to demand that the City settle this contract now! 

This pledge is a show of power that moves us closer to settling a strong contract at the table. It is not a vote to authorize a strike, but a commitment to stand together should we be forced to take action. 

All members of our bargaining unit may sign, whether or not you have signed your union card yet.